‘We are all motivated to maintain improvement’

Malta resume their UEFA Nations League Group D1 campaign with a match against Andorra today (20.45) on the back of a morale-boosting 2-0 win in a friendly match against Gibraltar on Wednesday. Balzan midfielder Steve Pisani struck an upbeat note ahead of this evening’s clash. “It (Andorra) is an important game but we approach every game in the same way,” Pisani told www.mfa.com.mt. “We treated the Gibraltar match as an important test, not just as a friendly. Naturally, that game helped our preparations for the next two matches, starting with the Andorra game where we believe we can obtain positive result, especially after the friendly win which has enhanced our confidence. We are well-prepared for this game.” Like Malta, Andorra have one point after their opening two UEFA Natioons League Group D1 matches after a goalless draw away to Latvia and a 1-0 defeat at home to Faroe Islands. Pisani is expecting a physical game but insisted that Malta are primarily focusing on their own strengths. “We are preparing for a physical game, we expect Andorra to be aggressive but we are preparing our own game,” Pisani said. “We are focusing mostly on ourselves.” The Balzan midfielder is pleased with the team’s progress in recent months but emphasised there is a long way to go. “When we met the national coach for the first time, he stressed the importance of adopting a step-by-step approach and strive to improve game after game,” Pisani said. “We are well aware that we are at the start of this process but we are also somewhat surprised with the way we are performing at this early stage because we know that there is a long way and we have ample room for improvement. “I believe we are on the right track, everyone is tranquil and focused because improved performances instill greater faith in the work we are doing.” MBONG VIEWSJoseph Mbong, who was rested for the Gibraltar friendly, echoed Pisani’s comments. “The games we have played over the past few weeks have been very useful,” the Ħamrun Spartans winger said. ‘They helpied us to integrate more as there are many new players in the squad and we were coming from a long period of inactivity due to the COVID situation. “I believe that the UEFA Nations League games we played last month further strengthened the sense of togetherness within the squad.” Looking ahead to the Andorra test, Mbong said that the players are motivated to further raise their game. “We are well-prepared for the next two matches (Andorra and Latvia),” he said. “We are coming from a positive result (against Gibraltar) and the players are motivated to further raise the level compared to the last game... there is great enthusiasm. “We are also looking at this match as an opportunity to show that we have improved in terms of footballing intelligence and also as individual players.”